Exclusive Interview: Captain America's Sebastian Stan

The former Gossip Girl star spills on everything from the best parts of playing a superhero, to his advice to his 17-year-old self.

It goes without saying that Sebastian Stan is super-hot. When he played Carter Baizen on Gossip Girl, it was hard not to crush on him, even when he was being sneaky and manipulative, and kinda jerky. Despite all of that, and the fact that he's always dating super-gorgeous, super-famous girls like Leighton Meester and Dianna Agron, he's actually a pretty normal guy. In fact, he told Seventeen that he wasn't always totally confident — especially in high school — but he's learned a few confidence tricks since then, and he ready to share them with you. Here's what he had to say about everything from high school to Captain America:

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17: What was your favorite thing about working on Captain America?

Sebastian Stan: I loved the action stuff. I loved having a gun. I loved having multiple guns and just shooting. Part of you feels like you're 10 years old, playing with your toys and another part of you…it's just this intense thing that takes over you, as a guy. It's an element of power.

17: We heard the director thought you were perfect for the role of Bucky because you seemed like a typical bad boy, kind of like James Dean. Are you?

SS: Absolutely not! It's an incredibly flattering, amazing thing, but no. I always see myself as, like, Paul Rudd. But I grew up watching those iconic figures and I want to emulate them, but I don't usually think of myself that way. I really laugh at myself a lot.

17: You seem really comfortable in your own skin. Were you always that way?

SS: No. I came here from Romania when I was 12 years old. I had an accent. High school was tough a little bit for a few years. I wanted to fit in. I wanted to be liked. I wanted to be good-looking. I wanted to be popular. I spent a lot of time thinking, "What are these people going to think of me?" but I think part of developing a strong sense of self is that you have to kind start to trust in yourself.

17: Any tricks for getting that kind of trust and confidence?

SS: You have to pay attention to the moments when you've felt on top on the world. I remember the first time I was on stage, I was doing West Side Story, I was 17 and this woman was crying because she liked what I was doing so much. I know I'm 28 now and I know the stakes are higher, but looking back on an experience like that reminds me that I do have a place somewhere. Sometimes it's okay to give yourself a pat on the back and say, "That was cool. That made me feel good."

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17: Do you have any other advice you'd give your 17-year-old self?

SS: Embrace your differences and the qualities about you that you think are weird. Eventually they're going to be the only things separating you from everyone else.

What do you think about Sebastian's confidence trick? Would it work for you? Sound off in the comments!